Derbyshire 551 for 8 dec (Madsen 176, Dal 146*) and 127 for 7 (Reece 42*, Brooks 5-46) lead Sussex 337 by 341 runs
Derbyshire’s surprising decision not to enforce the follow-on against Sussex reduced their chances of winning a match they had dominated – and even gave their opponents an outside chance of pulling off an astonishing victory.
Then Brooks stepped up. He had Brooke Guest lbw for eight before dismissing the first-innings hero Wayne Madsen first ball, caught behind. In his next over Brooks dismissed Leus du Plooy, who mis-cued to midwicket, and in his next over Shan Masood dragged a wide ball onto his stumps.
Anuj Dal and Kerr fell near the close and Derbyshire closed on 127 for seven, a lead of 341. They are still favourites to win the game but Sussex can now see an escape route.
Carter, who had scored a career-best 185 and 83 in the county’s previous championship fixture against Glamorgan in Cardiff, went on to reach his half-century from 88 deliveries, with six fours. But then he was bowled going back when he might have been forward to one from the impressive Mark Watt, who was signed as a t20 player but who now appears to be the side’s number one red ball spinner.
The spotlight on Rizwan was getting brighter with the fall of each wicket at the other end. And, making the most of the short boundary at the east side of the ground, he went on to reach his first championship century for Sussex from 172 balls, with 18 fours.
Sussex lost their fifth wicket at 242 when Danial Ibrahim, half forward to one that turned from Watt, was bowled for six. Delray Rawlins is a lavishly talented player who has not always shown shown enough discipline for the red-ball game. But he scored a half-century in Cardiff and here, against the spinners, he sensibly mixed aggression with patience. However, when Derbyshire took the new ball at 295 for five he was undone almost immediately, bowled through the gate by Dal as he played a loose drive. His 37 from 57 balls, with six fours and a six, was not what Sussex required.
Rizwan was lbw to Dal for a fine 130, with 22 fours, but the Sussex tail didn’t wag, as Steve Finn fell second ball and Hunt to his first delivery.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo